Northwest Local School Board chooses deceased board member’s wife to assume his post

Sunday

Mar 29, 2009 at 12:01 AMMar 29, 2009 at 7:07 PM

The widow of the Northwest Local School Board member who recently died of cancer at the age of 35 will assume his position on the school board. The mother of their three young children, Nikki Metzger is also a teacher and an alumna of Northwest Local Schools.

Lori Monsewicz

The wife of deceased Northwest Local School Board member Gregg Metzger, who recently lost his life to cancer, will assume his post on the school board.

The school board unanimously appointed Nikki Metzger to the post today.

“I am taking on my late husband’s position on the school board not only to honor his memory, but out of an obligation to my alma mater and my community,” she said in a news release. “Students need to know that they will receive the best education possible in their own community, without fear of losing resources and opportunities essential for their future.”

Her husband, Gregg Metzger, died March 12 at age 35. The Lawrence Township resident had battled extragondal germ cell cancer since he was diagnosed Sept. 28. The cancer is a type of testicular cancer. Seven-time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong survived a similar cancer in the 1990s.

Northwest Local Schools Superintendent William Stetler said in a news release this afternoon that Nikki Metzger is a graduate of Northwest High School and the University of Toledo. She was a teacher at Sts. Phillip and James School in Canal Fulton, and she is the mother of three children: Dominic, 6; Luke, 3, and Madeline, 2.

“It is just so appropriate to have her continue her husband’s work for the students of Northwest,” he said. “She and Gregg epitomize the outstanding Northwest alumni who care so much about this find community that they came back here to raise their own children. She understands the importance of a strong educational system.”

Board President Steve Jones said the vote was unanimous.

“We’re looking forward to her being a board member,” he said. “I know that she’ll make an excellent contribution,” he said.

Stetler said that, “As an alumna, an educator and a mother, she is certainly up to the challenge.”